Charpentier, Marc-Antoine

(1643-1704)

   composer

   Marc-Antoine Charpentier, whose masses, operas, and songs are admired for their elegant structure and style, was born in Paris and studied in Italy, where he was a student of the noted composer Gia-como Carissimi. Returning to France, Charpentier worked for several years with pierre corneille and molière, composing musical pieces for their theatrical productions (Malade imaginaire, 1673). An intense rivalry also developed between Charpentier and jean-baptiste lully, who dominated French court music as the official composer of louis XIV. From 1679, Charpentier composed music for the private masses of the dauphin and, in the 1680s, was also composer and music director for the prince of Guise. In 1698, he became music director of the royal chapel—Saint-Chapelle—in Paris, where he served, too, in that capacity at the church of St. Louis. Among Charpentier's major compositions are Leçons et Répons de ténèbres (for Port-Royal) and a Te Deum for soloists, choir, organ, and orchestra, featuring festive trumpets. His secular works include three tragedies set to music (Celse martyr, 1687; David et Jonathas, 1688; and Médée, 1691). Charpentier's full collection of compositions is vast, with more than 500 pieces. Seen as a precursor to Handel, he is considered one of the greatest French composers of the 17th century.